Abnormal Runway Contact, Mandiri Utama Flight Academy (Cessna 172S Pk-Mua); Blimbingsari Sari Airport, Banyuwangi, KNKT.17.01.02.04

On 16 January 2017, a Cessna 172S registered PK-MUA operated by PT. Mandiri Utama Flight Academy on a solo flight training area from Blimbingsari Airport (WADY), Banyuwangi to Panggang Bay training area and return to Blimbingsari.

After returned from the area up to the final approach runway 08, the approach was normal refer to the training provided and the student pilot requested for full stop landing.

At 0317 UTC, before touchdown the student pilot flared out and the aircraft ballooning. The student pilot pushed the control column slightly. The aircraft nose down and the propeller hit the runway. The student pilot action to recover the ballooning was contrary to the ballooning recovery technique according to the Airplane Flying Handbook.

The aircraft stopped and fire appeared on the front right side of the aircraft. The student pilot evacuated through the left door.

The wreckage examination found fuel line broken on the right lower fuselage that most likely caused by the impact. The fuel spill from the broken fuel line and the spark that possibly created by the friction of the aircraft part with the runway ignited the fire.

The controller saw the condition and notified the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFF) by activating the serine and the crash bell. The fire extinguished after about 20 minutes and two foam tenders used more than 6,500 litters water and mixed with foam while it required approximately 400 litters of water for the type of aircraft according to the Manual of Standard (MOS) 139. The amount of extinguishing agent and time required, indicated that the extinguishing process was not effective.

No one injured in this accident and the aircraft destroyed by impact forces and post impact fire. The investigation concluded that the contributing factors to this accident were:

· The aircraft ballooning recovery technique was contrary to the ballooning recovery technique, resulted in the aircraft nose down during impact the runway, broke the fuel pipe line and initiated fire. · The fire extinguishing process was not effective resulted in the aircraft destroyed.

The KNKT issued several safety recommendations to PT. Mandiri Utama Flight Academy, Blimbingsari Airport Operator and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to address safety issues identified during the investigation.